When to use an apostrophe

I don’t know about you but it really bugs me when I see an apostrophe being used incorrectly. It’s such an insignificant little mark you probably don’t even notice it when you’re reading at normal speed….

….and that’s the nub of the issue. People either don’t notice it’s there (or not) or they don’t notice whether it’s correct (or not), but for pedants like me, I do notice it!

BUT St James’s Palace is an exception to that rule. How confusing is that?

Plural nouns that end in –s:

The dogs’ bowls – says that the bowls belong to some dogs

Employees’ workplace – says that the workplace belongs to the employees

Plural nouns not ending in –s:

The men’s hats – says that the hats belong to the men

The children’s toys – says that the toys belong to the children

The women’s coats – says the coats belong to the women

Secondly, it’s used to show that letters have been left out, e.g.

I’m – is short for ‘I am’

They’re – is short for ‘they are’

Didn’t – is short for ‘did not’

He’ll – is short for ‘he will’

It’s – is short for ‘it is’ or ‘it has’

The apostrophe goes where the letters have been missed out and is used this way in informal writing. You should not shorten words when you are writing formal letters or emails.

In the words of a well-known TV meerkat, “Simples” or is it?

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